Floral Design Mechanics – Tips for Creating Your Own Floral Design
The number one rule when creating floral designs is, hide your mechanics! Nothing looks tackier than seeing the floral foam or sticky floral tape on your container. A backing of greenery over the mechanics is quick, easy and will make your arrangement look professionally done.
Keep in mind the size of your container when cutting your floral foam. The foam should be no taller than one inch above the container and there should be ample room on the sides to hold water. The foam must not dry out or your arrangement will die quickly. Letting the foam soak up water naturally without forcing it underwater will insure proper saturation. Dry holes in the middle of the foam will also result in a dead arrangement of flowers.
Depending on the size of your arrangement, secure the foam in the container by using one or two narrow strips of green floral tape.
Containers such as baskets or unglazed pottery, that are not plastic or glass will need a plastic liner to contain the water. For arrangements in vases you may use white shredded foam or design the flowers in a manner in which the stems will crisscross with each other to remain in place. Chicken wire can be placed over the top of the vase to use as a grid to help hold stems in place. Be sure to hide the wire with greenery.
Certain flowers such as roses will need to be wired before arranging to keep their heavy heads upright. Simply pierce the calyx (base of the rose) with a 22 gauge wire and wrap around the stem, being cautious not to cut into the stem, working from top to bottom. It is helpful to have the rose thorns removed before arranging; however caution should be used to not scrap or damaged the flower stem. Tools are available to strip thorns or a sharp knife may be used. Tulips benefit from being wired as they will lean toward a light source. Using a light weight wire gauge such as a 24 will allow the tulip to move. Daffodils need to have a chenille stem inserted into the whole length their hollow stems to aid in water absorption. Most other flowers will not need to be wired with the exception of certain delicate or exotic flowers.
Ribbon may be added to an arrangement by attaching it to a wired wooden pick and inserting it into the foam. A bow may be tied around some vases for an added splash of color. Ribbon will not stay in place on straight, cylinder shaped vases so bows may be added attaching it to a wired wooden pick and inserting it into the arrangement as if it were a flower stem.
Other small, lightweight items may be added to your flower arrangement to give it a personal touch. Be creative!
About the Author
Author Ellen Skiles was twelve years experience in the floral industry including three years in a greenhouse, four years designing in a shop, and seven years as head designer and manager of a second flower shop. She provides content for www.arrangefreshflowers.com.
May 1 Chenille Stems
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Chenille Kraft All-Purpose Single Color Chenille Stems – Yellow (4MM) – Pack of 100 $2.03 These premium quality chenille stems are the perfect no mess medium for a wide variety of projects. Great for making ornaments, decorations, animals, flowers, creatures, and more! 1/8″ diameter stems are 12″ long. Pack of 100 stems in yellow…. |
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Pipe Cleaners Assorted Tinsel 12 Inch 25/Pk $1.95 Assorted colors of tinsel chenille stems are perfect for all kinds of arts and crafts. 12 inch stems, 25 per bag…. |
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Accent Design Chenille Stem 12x 6mm Pink (6 Pack) $5.34 Chenille Stems are great for making poseable figures, party favors, ornaments, holiday decorations and anything else your imagination can come up with! Bend and twist together, string beads onto or combine with other crafting materials to shape unique items. Not for young children. 12x 6mm Pink- 25pc… |
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Chenille Kraft 911001 – Jumbo Stems, 12 x 6mm, Metal Wire, Polyester, Assorted, 1000/Box $43.00 Jumbo polyester stems. Bendable chenille covered wires add fun to a craft project. Use to make flowers, stems, animals and much more. Bright colors make crafts pop. Reusable. Material(s): Metal Wire; Polyester; Color(s): Assorted; Size: 12 x 6mm; Assortment: N/A…. |
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Chenille Kraft 911001 – Jumbo Stems, 12 x 6mm, Metal Wire, Polyester, Assorted, 1000/Box-CKC911001 Jumbo polyester stems. Bendable chenille covered wires add fun to a craft project. Use to make flowers, stems, animals and much more. Bright colors make crafts pop. Reusable. Material(s): Metal Wire; Polyester; Color(s): Assorted; Size: 12 x 6mm; Assortment: N/A…. |
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Chenille Plant – Red Hot Cattails Acalypha Repens, commonly known as strawberry firetails, or chenille, or red hot cattails. It is a rather easy to grow cascading plant with unique flowers that start out as fuzzy little buttons and elongate and mature into fuzzy red cones 3-4″ long. Likes sun and Moisture. Can be used unside or out…. |
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Chenille Kraft 911201 – Regular Stems, 12 x 4mm, Metal Wire, Polyester, Assorted, 1000/Pack $12.41 Perfect for making poseable figures, party favors, ornaments and holiday decorations. Bend and twist together, string beads or combine with other crafting materials to create your own unique items. Material(s): Metal Wire; Polyester; Color(s): Assorted; Size: 12 x 4mm; Assortment: N/A…. |
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Charles Leonard Inc. Chenille Stems in Class Packs, 1/8 x 6 Inch, Assorted Colors, 1000 per Box (65210) $9.99 Twist into any shape you can image. These colorful, soft fuzzy stems are ideal for all craft projects. Assorted sizes, styles and colors…. |
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Charles Leonard Inc, Chenille Stems – Striped 6 mm – Assorted Colors – 100/Bag (65695) $4.99 CHENILLE STEMS STRIPED ASST… |